BFARe Response to Government Autumn Statement
November 23rd, 2022
The Chancellor of the Exchequer included East West Rail in his list of infrastructure projects he would continue to support. He did not give carte blanche acceptance of the preferred route E in all that will entail with regard to taxpayer cost and unproven business benefits.
BFARe would like to take the opportunity to direct the Department of Transport to the following critical issues in constructing and operating Route E – a route that will neither “connect communities” nor support the ever-growing demand for rail freight transport.
Route E Poorly Supports Bedford Borough’s 2030 Local Plan
Bedford Borough Council has stated that they
MP for NorthEast Bedfordshire recently stated, “In the circumstances, I would recommend no formal decision is made until there has been time for a full public review of the business case.”
The letter requests that the Secretary of State not make any decisions about the EWR project.
BFARe has fought hard to show that Route E through and North of Bedford is the WRONG choice for Bedford residents. BFARe has campaigned to influence the Government, Bedford Borough Council and East West Rail to reconsider this environmentally destructive route and make a better choice for Bedford.
